Real Cash Back as Township Non-Profits Receive Grant

Eight local youth and senior non-profit organizations were at the receiving end of a grant totaling $5,025.64 awarded through the Hillsborough Rewards Visa Credit Card Program.

Hillsborough Heat Baseball, the Resource Center of Somerset, Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troops 1776, the , the Hillsborough Rockettes, Woodfern HSA and Hillsborough Senior Group B were all on-hand at Tuesday’s Township Committee meeting to accept the award, presented by the township’s Credit Card Advisory Committee.

“I am humbled and proud to be standing here and be part of this wonderful, ever-strengthening project. Two years ago, in midst of an economic downturn, Affinity (Federal Credit Union) placed a large investment and brought forth Hillsborough’s very own credit card,” said Toni Natale of the Credit Card Advisory Committee. “This is the only credit card we have or that anybody has that brings back a portion of what you spend back to the community.”

Residents of all ages and backgrounds on the receiving end of the grants were very thankful for the community’s contributions to their respective organizations.

“I would like to thank the mayor, the committee and the Affinity Credit Union for their generosity and support,” said Lucas Romano, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1776. “We are a very active troop, and this money will help a lot in replacing our tents.“

“We are very grateful for this grant,” said Hillsborough YMCA Aquatics Director Arthur Soybel. “Fortunately, this money will go right back to the community for spending on programs for senior citizens, specifically aquatics.”

Deputy Mayor Gloria McCauley, the township’s liaison to the Credit Card Advisory Committee, praised Mayor Carl Suraci and the program itself for its ability to impact non-profit youth and senior organizations in recent memory.

“This program is so amazing. It keeps growing,” McCauley said. “I want to say ‘Thank you’ to Mayor Suraci. I think he jumpstarted the program after we didn’t have it for a few years.”

Suraci had equal praise for the advisory committee and Affinity Federal Credit Union, who have worked together to once again provide a purchasing option for individuals and businesses that allows them to give back to the community with every purchase, all at no cost to the township’s taxpayers.

“They put this program together a few years back to help revitalize it, and it came at no cost to the residents of Hillsborough,” Suraci said.